THE OBJECTIVE MEASUREMENT OF MOTOR IMPAIR MENT BY MAGNETIC STIMULATION OF CENTRAL NERVE STRUCTURES IN CERVICAL NERVE ROOT COMPRESSION AND MYELOPATHY

We were interested in the question, if transcranial magnetic stimulati on of nerve structures can be used in the objective description of mot or impairment in humans with cervical nerve root compression and myelo pathies. We could demonstrate, that paresis is combined with an increa se of the latency of the evoked muscle potentials. Applications of the method in Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery involve description of motor deficits in cervical compression radiculopathy and myelopathy. Althoug h the value of the method for orthopaedic and neurosurgical purposes i s not yet clear, our experiences indicate interesting diagnostic possi bilities in cervical spine diagnostics.